THE 2000 ELECTIONS: MIDWEST

Published: November 8, 2000

The governor's mansion will stay in Republican hands, with John Hoeven, former president of the state-owned Bank of North Dakota, succeeding Ed Schaefer in the election.

The Democratic candidate, Heidi Heitkamp, was extremely popular in her last job, as attorney general. But Ms. Heitkamp announced Sept. 20 that she had breast cancer, and she took time out for surgery.

Earl Pomeroy, a Democrat, was seeking a fifth term as the state's member of the House of Representatives. In pre-election polls, he had a comfortable lead over John Dorso, the former leader of the Republicans in the state House.